2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physics schools.
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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for physics in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Physics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #3 place for physics. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $77,211. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Lewis University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,838. Physics graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Columbia College Chicago, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Physics graduates carry a median of $26,557 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $29,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #6 position for value in physics this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,292. Physics graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern University placed #7 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
